Written Answers Wednesday 14 May 2008

Scottish Executive

Access for Disabled People

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11208 by Stewart Stevenson on 17 April 2008, who is involved in the equality impact assessment.

Stewart Stevenson: The equality impact assessment is being undertaken by Scottish Government officials, taking on board evidence from stakeholders as gathered in the recent consultation.

Access for Disabled People

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11208 by Stewart Stevenson on 17 April 2008, when the body undertaking the equality impact assessment will report.

Stewart Stevenson: The equality impact assessment will be published on the Scottish Government website as soon as it has been completed.

Climate Change

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that climate change will be a material consideration in future planning decisions.

Stewart Stevenson: It is initially for the planning authority to decide whether a consideration is material in a particular case and ultimately it is a matter for the courts. Climate change is already capable of being a material consideration.

Drink Driving

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it expects to spend in 2008-09 on advertising associated with drinking and driving.

Stewart Stevenson: The budget for road safety advertising in 2008-09 has not yet been determined. However, the focus in 2008-09 is on rural road driving and the safety issues surrounding this. Where possible, advertising will support drink drive messages but until the budgets are set, the amount of support is unknown at this time. Non-paid for media will be used where possible, with the aim of maintaining a high-level of public awareness of the issue.

  In addition, Road Safety Scotland’s budget includes £60,000 for publicity in support of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland enforcement campaigns, some of which focus on drink driving.

Energy Efficiency

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-10528 by Stewart Stevenson on 13 March 2008, when it will launch its consultation on energy performance and carbon impact measures for existing domestic and non-domestic buildings.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government will issue its planned consultation on the energy performance of buildings as soon as possible. The Scottish Government website contains the latest information on all forthcoming consultations, including the anticipated consultation period. This can be viewed by following this link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Forthcoming .

Energy Efficiency

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-10528 by Stewart Stevenson on 13 March 2008, which external shareholders it has consulted on measures to reduce emissions from existing buildings, when it met each organisation and what issues were discussed.

Stewart Stevenson: Before the appointment of the panel which produced the Sullivan Report, officials consulted with the Energy Saving Trust, Friends of the Earth, Energy Action Scotland, Sustainable Development Commission, WWF and the Carbon Trust. These stakeholders were invited to consider issues for the built environment which needed to be addressed by the panel and some also suggested appropriate candidates for membership. Meetings took place during July and August 2007 and all stakeholders highlighted the importance of addressing the need to reduce emissions from existing buildings as part of the wider issue of improving the energy performance and reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of Scotland’s buildings.

Energy Efficiency

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what forms of financial assistance are available to Highland hotel and bed and breakfast businesses to enable them to take maximum advantage of the domestic and non-domestic heating opportunities that will be presented by the Balcas wood pellet and energy plant at Invergordon.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is investing a further £2 million in our successful energy efficiency loan scheme for small businesses to allow support for microgeneration. From summer 2008, small businesses, including Highland hotel and bed and breakfast businesses, may be eligible for financial assistance for a range of technologies including biomass.

  The reduction in non-domestic business rates afforded by the introduction of the Small Business Bonus Scheme will also allow small businesses to invest in the future wellbeing and effectiveness of their businesses through measures such as micro-generation

  In addition to financial support, we are also boosting existing small business advice through the Energy Saving Scotland advice network to include microgeneration.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what formal arrangements are in place for Scottish Development International’s work with (a) Scottish Enterprise, (b) Event Scotland, (c) VisitScotland and (d) Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Jim Mather: Scottish Development International’s (SDI) work is formally supervised by a management board made up of the Director-General Economy (chair) in the Scottish Government and the chief executives of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

  Officials collaborate on areas of joint interest for SDI’s work with VisitScotland and EventScotland. There is potential for a stronger working relationship in the future as the Scottish Government’s international framework, published on 22 April 2008, makes clear that Scottish ministers wish to see closer co-ordination between the various bodies that promote Scotland’s interests overseas.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what role ministers had in the decision not to appoint any of the applicants for the post of chief executive of Scottish Development International.

Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12354 on 8 May 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the restructuring of the enterprise network has impacted on the remit and operations of Scottish Development International.

Jim Mather: In tandem with the restructuring of the enterprise networks, Scottish Development International (SDI) will be deploying a greater proportion of its Scottish headquarters-based staff to local offices to deliver more direct support to companies. While there have been no specific changes to SDI’s remit, its operations will be increasingly aligned with those of the refocused Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise in pursuit of the Scottish Government’s purpose as outlined in The Government Economic Strategy .

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning any changes to the remit and operations of Scottish Development International.

Jim Mather: We are not planning any changes to the remit and operations of Scottish Development International (SDI) beyond the internal restructuring that is already underway.

  We are, however, raising the level of ambition for what SDI can do for Scotland. The Government Economic Strategy sets out how we will focus government and public services, including SDI, on creating a more successful country through increasing sustainable economic growth.

  Ministers also routinely join SDI professionals during parliamentary recess, and for example, in supporting events such as Scotland Week, to help promote Scotland and Scottish companies.

Environment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average sea level along the (a) North Sea, (b) Atlantic, (c) Irish Sea coast has been in each of the last 10 years.

Stewart Stevenson: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

  The Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), based at the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL), is responsible for the collection, publication, analysis and interpretation of sea level data from the global network of tide gauges. Further information is available on their website at:

  www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/.

  The Scottish Government supports the activities of the Marine Climate Change Impacts Programme who produce a report card highlighting the impact of climate change on the marine environment. The latest report card for 2007-08, which includes conclusions on sea level rise, is available at:

  http://www.mccip.org.uk/arc/2007/PDF/ARC2007.pdf.

  A Scottish Government commissioned report on Scotland’s Seas: Towards Understanding their State was published last month and includes an assessment of climate change impacts on Scottish seas, including sea level rise. A copy of the report is available on the Scottish Government’s website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/03093608/0.

Environment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average surface temperature in Scotland has been in each of the last 10 years.

Stewart Stevenson: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

  The Met Office publishes data on Scottish surface temperature, available on their website at www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/seriesstatistics/scottemp.txt. Annual average surface temperature, extracted from the Met Office data, and differences from a 1961-90 average for Scotland, are available on the Scottish Government’s environment statistics website at:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Environment.

Environment

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average atmospheric temperature above Scotland has been in each of the last 10 years.

Stewart Stevenson: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

  The Met Office collects data on Scottish temperature but does not publish data on atmospheric temperature above Scotland. The Met Office will consider whether they can meet specific requests for unpublished data and may make a charge for extracting data from their records.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the road equivalent tariff pilot study will include assessment of the future use of public service obligations for ferry services.

Stewart Stevenson: No. The remit of the study into road equivalent tariff does not include an assessment of the future use of public service obligations. The aim of the study is to consider the impact of a reduction in the cost of ferry travel in Scotland by setting ferry fares at a road equivalent tariff.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the European Commission’s view that state subsidy for lifeline ferry services does not constitute state aid if it complies with the criteria laid down by the European Court of Justice in the Altmark case.

Stewart Stevenson: This is one of the issues that we will be considering as we develop The Scottish Government’s response to the European Commission’s investigation into the Scottish ferry services.

Ferry Services

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is proposed that the fare for overnight cabin accommodation will be calculated under the proposed road equivalent tariff.

Stewart Stevenson: The study into road equivalent tariff (RET) has not yet considered how overnight cabin accommodation fares will be calculated. However, this is one of the areas that will be considered in developing proposals for the possible future roll out of RET across the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidy has been provided to (a) Caledonian MacBrayne and (b) NorthLink and its predecessor in each year from 1999-2000 to the latest year for which figures are available.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its most up to date estimate is of the total financial support given to (a) Caledonian MacBrayne and (b) NorthLink in 2007-08.

Stewart Stevenson: The tables below list the basic subsidy payments made to Caledonian MacBrayne, CalMac Ferries Ltd, P&O Scottish Ferries Ltd, NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries Ltd and NorthLink Ferries Ltd. The figures do not include capital expenditure.

  Table 1 – Caledonian MacBrayne/CalMac Ferries Ltd – Payments Made in the Financial Year (£ Million)

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 Grant
 15.000
 19.000
 20.404
 18.900
 25.919
 25.100
 31.400
 34.200
 40.968



  Note: CalMac Ferries Ltd took over the contract from Caledonian MacBrayne from 1 October 2007.

  Table 2 – P&O Scottish Ferries Ltd. To September 2002

  

 
 1999
 2000
 2001
 2002


 Grant (£ million)
 11.4
 11.5
 11.6
 11.2


 Tariff Rebate (£ million)
 .429
 .517
 .674
 1.30



  Note: The grant figures relate to payments made in the calendar year. The tariff rebate figures relate to payments made in the financial year.

  Table 3 – NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries Ltd.

  

 
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Grant (£ million)
 18.424
 29.350
 23.195
 21.574


 Tariff Rebate (£ million)
 0.257
 2.783
 1.703
 1.255



  Note: The grant figures relate to payments made in the company’s operational year, which is October to September. The contract terminated on 5 July 2006, so the payments for 2005-06 relate to the period October 2005 to June 2006.

  Table 4 – NorthLink Ferries Ltd

  

 
 2006-07 
 2007-08


 Grant (£ million)
 31.109
 21.794



  Note: The new contract stared on 6 July 2006. The grant figures relate to the company’s operational year, which is July to June. The figures for 2007-08 relate to payments made between July 2007 and March 2008.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what total subsidy has been provided for (a) revenue and (b) capital costs for ferry services in each year from 1999-2000 to the latest year for which figures are available and what the percentage increase is in each year for (i) revenue, (ii) capital and (iii) overall total subsidies.

Stewart Stevenson: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45569).

Finance and Sustainable Growth

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent FirstGroup plc’s share price was taken into consideration during the negotiations on the extension of the ScotRail franchise.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12238 on 8 May 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Fisheries

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government or to EU institutions about the possibility of setting a fixed price for marine fuel.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in place to ensure a level playing field for island and mainland vessels in Scotland and EU-wide with regard to marine fuel prices.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to answers to questions S3W-11483 on 21 April 2008 and S3W-11482, answered on 10 April in relation to the fishing industry. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to legislate to ensure that regional spatial strategies and local development documents include a strategic flood assessment as part of a sustainability appraisal.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 Planning and Flooding says that the potential of land to flood should be considered during the preparation of every development plan and flood risk areas must be identified early in the plan preparation process. The plans are subject to the requirements for strategic environmental assessment. The recent consultation paper, The Future of Flood Risk Management in Scotland , included proposals for implementing the EU Floods Directive which will enhance the strategic approach to flood risk management.

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure that strategic flood assessments are required for regional spatial strategies and local development documents in flood risk locations.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 Planning and Flooding says that the potential of land to flood should be considered during the preparation of every development plan and flood risk areas must be identified early in the plan preparation process. The recent consultation paper, The Future of Flood Risk Management in Scotland , included proposals for implementing the EU Floods Directive which will enhance the strategic approach to flood risk management.

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to strengthen sequential testing to make explicit allowance for climate change in flood zones and how it plans to favour development sites that do not increase the consequences of flooding.

Stewart Stevenson: The approach to flood risk areas set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 Planning and Flooding already includes an allowance for climate change. This is incorporated in the risk framework which for planning purposes has the following sequence of annual probabilities for watercourse and coastal flooding:

  Little or no risk area (less than 0.1% (1:1000); Low to medium-risk area (0.1% to 0.5% (1:1000 – 1:200); Medium to high-risk area (0.5% (1:200)) or greater. The potential of land to flood should be considered during the preparation of every development plan in accordance with the SPP.

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that Scottish Water is a statutory consultee for all planning applications for any development where there is any risk of flooding.

Stewart Stevenson: Planning authorities are already required under article 15(1)(m) of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended, to consult Scottish Water in areas in which development is to take place where the development is likely to require a material addition to or a material change in the service provided by that authority.

Flooding

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what studies it has made of the cost impact of continuing to permit developments behind existing flood defences, the cost of maintaining such developments and the sustainability of such an approach.

Stewart Stevenson: None.

Fuel Costs

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist rural communities in coping with high fuel costs for both household heating and vehicles.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the impact that high fuel prices are having upon rural communities. This issue was discussed with UK Government Ministers at Ofgem’s fuel poverty summit on 23 April 2008.

  The central heating and warm deal programmes which we inherited from the previous administration set out to help with domestic heating costs by reducing the amount of fuel needed to keep the home warm. Our internal review of these programmes is nearing completion and we will share its outcomes with the Parliament shortly.

  Higher fuel prices represent a significant cost burden upon rural communities and businesses; such as agriculture, the road haulage industry and the wider economy. The Scottish Government continues to press for introduction of a fuel duty regulator which would see greater protection for motorists and the road haulage industry.

  We are also aware that the high price of fuel is currently causing great concern to the fishing industry and a five-point plan of action to help counter the effects of rising fuel costs was agreed between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and industry representatives on Monday. As part of this plan, the Scottish Government will establish a task force to develop steps to help the industry, meet with the UK Government to discuss impact of fuel prices, continue to press the EU for a level playing field on subsidies, and work with industry to develop a fuel efficiency scheme. We have already committed £300,000 to extending payment of the warranty for vessel monitoring systems, and further immediate help will be provided with £400,000 for the annual maintenance of life raft costs on every vessel in Scotland.

Fuel Costs

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered implementing a rural fuel rebate scheme for people in rural communities who meet defined and set criteria.

Stewart Stevenson: HM Treasury’s response to a letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth confirmed that fuel duty is a UK-wide central government tax and that the UK Government has no plan to introduce regionally differentiated rates of duty. The Scottish Government is concerned about the impact of fuel duty rises on rural communities and businesses - such as the road haulage industry - where fuel costs represent a significant cost burden, and on the wider economy. It continues to press for introduction of a fuel duty regulator.

Health

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9558 by Nicola Sturgeon on 19 February 2008, what its schedule is for consulting statutory and voluntary agencies on reviewing the CHD and Stroke Strategy and how it intends to gather experiences of people who have had strokes, particularly those with aphasia who need long-term support to return to independence, education, work and a social life after leaving acute care.

Nicola Sturgeon: We expect to issue our revised national CHD and Stroke Strategy shortly on a consultative basis. It will reflect the work on the Aphasia in Scotland project commissioned by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. We shall make sure that organisations which represent the interests of those with aphasia, such as Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, Speakability and CONNECT, are included in the consultation.

  We have also made available funding to help provide training which will allow those who have had a stroke, including those with aphasia, to take part in the work of the stroke Managed Clinical Network which acts as the main vehicle for the local delivery of the strategy in each NHS board area. This will allow people with aphasia to make a direct contribution to the development of the services they need, drawing directly on their own experience.

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has carried out an evaluation of the impact of existing policies limiting the number of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licences in Glasgow and Edinburgh with the aim of informing Scottish Planning Policy 3: Planning for Housing (SPP 3) and, if so, what the outcomes of the evaluation were.

Stewart Stevenson: Planning and HMO licensing legislation are designed to do different things – planning is focussed on the availability of services and amenities, while licensing exists to ensure HMO properties meet certain safety, physical and management standards. The review of SPP3 considers planning issues. Both Glasgow City Council and the City of Edinburgh Council have been involved in the SPP3 consultation process, as have all other planning authorities, particularly those where high HMO concentrations exist, such as Fife Council and Dundee City Council. Their views are being taken into account in drafting the final policy.

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence is available to suggest that houses in multiple occupation (HMO) quotas are successful in tackling antisocial behaviour and other local housing problems.

Stewart Stevenson: The proposal set out in Scottish Planning Policy 3 – Planning for Housing (SPP3) is not intended to tackle antisocial behaviour. Where planning authorities decide to implement a policy on HMO concentrations, they should balance the need to provide adequate numbers of HMO accommodation with the need to safeguard the character, integrity and amenity of communities.

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any record of any business or other public amenity that has been forced to close due to a concentration of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) in the locality.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12324 on 9 May 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  The research cited in that answer has identified a range of potential consequences, including changes in the range of retail and entertainment services available, as well as a reduction in community cohesion.

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers houses in multiple occupation (HMO) quotas to be useful in addressing antisocial behaviour and, if so, whether it considers them to be more effective than the provisions of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12323 on 14 May 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa/search .

  The national antisocial behaviour strategy, which includes the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 and is currently under review, remains the main vehicle for tackling low-level offending.

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the legislation relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMO) to be adequately enforced.

Stewart Stevenson: The responsibility for enforcing legislation on the licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) rests with local authorities and they have a range of powers available to them to ensure that private landlords comply with licensing requirements. New HMO licensing provisions, set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, will increase the maximum fine for a landlord found guilty of operating an unlicensed HMO from £5,000 to £20,000 and allow local authorities to use rent penalty notices to prevent unlicensed HMO landlords from collecting rent from their tenants. The Scottish Government does not currently collect information on enforcement action taken by local authorities in relation to HMO licensing.

  In relation to planning permission for HMOs, the Scottish Government believes that sufficient enforcement measures are in place already to allow local authorities to take action where there has been a breach of planning control. Again, it is for local authorities to apply these measures. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 extended existing powers and introduced new enforcement powers. We have recently consulted on these; the consultation is closed and we are considering how to take this forward.

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact it considers that the use of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) quotas has on the affordability of housing to buy and rent.

Stewart Stevenson: The basis of the proposal set out in Scottish Planning Policy 3 – Planning for Housing (SPP3) is to address planning issues about over-concentrations of HMOs in particular areas. It will be for local authorities to consider whether and how to develop and implement such policies in the wider context of housing need in their area. The consultative draft of SPP3 encourages local authorities to consider the need for HMO accommodation when preparing local housing strategies, and to reflect that in development plans.

Kinship Care

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide central grant funding to advice agencies other than citizens advice bureaux to deliver a specialist advice and information service to kinship carers.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government has no plans to provide central grant funding to any advice agencies other than to Citizens Advice Scotland to deliver a specialist service for kinship carers.

Mental Health

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-12017 by Shona Robison on 30 April 2008, how the £130,000 allocated to the Partners in Orkney will be shared out between the partners; whether it will be ring-fenced to fund the joint local implementation plans under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and for how many years the funding been budgeted to be provided.

Shona Robison: The funding for partnership spend on mental health will be allocated through NHS boards. It will be the responsibility of the local partners to work together and agree priorities for spend on local services. The expectation is that this funding will continue to support implementation of the Mental Health Act through a range of services, and where appropriate delivery of the HEAT targets for mental health in Scotland.

  Funding has been confirmed for 2008-09 and will be allocated to NHS boards shortly. Funding for future years will be considered in due course.

NHS Hospitals

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-10960 by Nicola Sturgeon on 9 April 2008, what form its review on hospital car parking charges will take and from whom submissions will be sought.

Nicola Sturgeon: The review referred to is of the application of the principles and criteria set out in the revised guidance issued in January 2008 to those car parking schemes which have car parking charges in place. NHS boards will submit details of their reviews to me and further decisions will be taken thereafter.

National Conversation

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why non-geographical terms such as "The Land of Milk and Honey" have been accepted as a location for responses on the National Conversation website.

Nicola Sturgeon: The response to S3W-11333, answered on 23 April 2008, set out the criteria for moderating the National Conversation website. The criteria makes clear that no registration is required for submitting comments but contributors are asked to provide a name, location and e-mail address. Name and location are optional and will be displayed. E-mail addresses will not be displayed but failure to provide an e-mail address may result in rejection.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

National Conversation

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the National Conversation to be a poll of public opinion.

Nicola Sturgeon: The National Conversation is not a poll; it is an opportunity for the people of Scotland to debate, reflect, and then decide on the type of government that will best equip Scotland for the future. The only true test of public opinion will be a referendum.

National Conversation

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11948 by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 April 2008, why it has spent over £140,000 on the work of the National Conversation, given that it is not a formal consultation.

Nicola Sturgeon: Expenditure on the National Conversation is in support of the delivery of our manifesto commitment, which is widely shared, to give the Scottish people the opportunity to debate, reflect and then decide Scotland’s constitutional future in a referendum.

Oil and Gas Industry

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what preparations it is making to address the impact of peak oil in Scotland.

Jim Mather: I refer the member to the answer to question S3F-751 on 8 May 2008. All answers to oral parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0508-02.htm#Col8434.

Oil and Gas Industry

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how the National Planning Framework 2: Discussion Draft will help Scotland to address the impact of peak oil.

Jim Mather: On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

  However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland’s wealth. The National Planning Framework is a strategy for Scotland’s long term spatial development and the recent discussion draft sets out our ambitions for Scotland’s development over the next quarter century including our commitment to tackling climate change and the introduction of new technologies.

  The draft NPF2 recognises that a growing long-term imbalance between supply and demand for oil and gas products would have profound implications for the global economy in a whole range of areas including transport and economic development. We therefore recognise the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels over time. Such a strategy is consistent with our approach to reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 to help tackle climate change.

Oil and Gas Industry

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how Scotland’s first national food policy will address the impact of peak oil.

Jim Mather: On a global level, there has been considerable debate about whether peak oil has occurred. It is the case that significant reserves remain in the North Sea and that the Scottish oil and gas industry, which is of enormous economic importance to Scotland, will remain a vital sector of our economy for decades to come.

  However, we are also clear that Scotland needs to make a transition to a low carbon economy, with an energy supply that is diverse and sustainable and which contributes to Scotland’s wealth. Supporting and developing our food production capacity is in our national interests and will help build a sustainable economy. Whilst the Scottish Government is conscious that our generation has not experienced food shortages, we should never take food for granted and that is why we are currently developing the nation’s first ever strategic food policy, to ensure we have a fully joined up, consistent and coherent approach to food production and consumption.

  In responding to the challenge of making the transition to a low carbon economy, we must put our intellect and entrepreneurial skills to use to cultivate better and more environmentally friendly ways of producing food.

Oil and Gas Industry

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions its Council of Economic Advisers has had on the challenge of the peak in oil production.

Jim Mather: The Council of Economic Advisers discusses a wide range of issue of relevance to the Scottish economy. The minutes of the meeting can be viewed at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/Meetings/2008.

Oil and Gas Industry

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has asked its Council of Economic Advisers to consider the impact of peak oil on Scotland’s economy.

Jim Mather: The Council of Economic Advisers considers a wide range of issue of relevance to the Scottish Economy. The minutes of all meetings are published within two weeks of the meetings taking place and can be found at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy/Council-Economic-Advisers/Meetings/2008.

Organ Donation

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that its recent campaign to increase the number of registered organ donors was successful.

Nicola Sturgeon: A significant rise in the number of calls from Scotland to UK Transplant’s Organ Donor Line took place during the recent organ donation television campaign. A detailed evaluation of the campaign is being undertaken and is expected to be available in the near future.

Organ Donation

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new organ donors were registered in each month since May 2007.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is shown in the following table.

  

Year
Month
 Country
UK


 England
 N Ireland
 Scotland
 Wales


 2007
 April
 55,121
 4,572
 27
 2,817
 62,537


 May
 60,858
 3,172
 20
 3,757
 67,807


 June
 72,970
 3,350
 40,049
 3,948
 120,317


 July
 78,277
 4,059
 24
 4,193
 86,553


 August
 90,480
 1,245
 31,644
 4,643
 128,012


 September
 76,809
 3,720
 4,023
 4,189
 88,741


 October
 90,419
 6,248
 23
 5,180
 101,870


 November
 79,213
 4,155
 33,769
 4,301
 121,438


 December
 50,994
 3,796
 1,878
 2,702
 59,370


 2008
 January
 91,483
 1,338
 14,781
 4,578
 112,180


 February
 96,667
 1,181
 13,499
 4,647
 115,994


 March
 76,644
 925
 0
 3,272
 80,841


 Total
 919,935
 37,761
 139,737
 48,227
 1,145,660



  Source: UK Transplant, as at 12 May 2008.

  Notes:

  New registrations for Scottish residents are only entered on to the NHS Organ Donor Register after their NHS number is matched with each individual. Currently there is a delay in this matching process, and this has led to the temporary under-reporting of Scottish registrations from mid-February 2008.

  The figures are also subject to slight change, as the information is constantly updated.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what feedback is given to statutory agencies, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and key stakeholders when inquiry reporters or local authority planning departments make decisions that have gone against the objections of the statutory agencies.

Stewart Stevenson: Once a reporter from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals has issued a decision on an appeal the decision is final and neither the reporter nor Scottish ministers have any further jurisdiction on the matter. The member will appreciate that it is not therefore possible to comment on the merits of an appeal, or on any comments submitted by any party, other than to say that a reporter’s decision is based on the evidence before him or her.

  Any discussion between a local authority and a party to a planning application is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of homeowners who have been refused home insurance as a consequence of planning decisions where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has made direct objections to the planning development.

Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to measure how development in one local authority area can increase the risk of flooding and defence costs elsewhere.

Stewart Stevenson: Before granting planning permission, planning authorities have a statutory duty to consult any adjoining planning authority if it appears to them that a development is likely to affect land in that authority’s area. A flood risk assessment undertaken by a developer and the advice provided by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency can extend across local authority boundaries.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to ensure that the principle of sequential testing is applied to land allocations in sustainable community planning.

Stewart Stevenson: The approach to development in flood risk areas is set out in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 7 – Planning and Flooding. This incorporates a Risk Framework which for planning purposes has the following sequence of annual probabilities for watercourse and coastal flooding:

  Little or no risk area (less than 0.1% (1:1000));

  Low to medium-risk area (0.1% to 0.5% (1:1000 – 1:200)), and

  Medium to high-risk area (0.5% (1:200)) or greater.

  The potential of land to flood should be considered during the preparation of every development plan in accordance with the SPP.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions since 1990 it has overturned local authorities’ decisions not to allow a development where there were sustained objections from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Stewart Stevenson: This information is not held centrally.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is a statutory consultee for all planning applications for any development where there is any risk of flooding.

Stewart Stevenson: Since 1996 the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has been a statutory consultee if a proposed development is likely to materially increase the number of buildings at risk of being damaged by flooding.

Planning

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on a requirement for local authority planners to report to government on the outcome of decisions where agencies or water companies have objected and planning authorities have to make such decisions publicly accessible as part of e-government initiatives.

Stewart Stevenson: There is currently no requirement for planning authorities to routinely advise the Scottish Government of the nature of their decisions on planning applications where particular bodies have objected. However, in some circumstances, planning authorities must notify the government where they propose to grant planning permission. This is set out in Scottish Executive Development Department Planning Circular 5/2007: Notification of Planning Applications, which is available on the Scottish Government’s website at:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/04/30162614/0.

  We are consulting on proposals which will require planning authorities to prepare a report on each planning application containing a range of information including, where relevant, the issues raised by statutory consultees and in representations on the proposal. The report will be available on the planning register. Through the E-Planning Efficient Government Programme, planning authorities will have the capability to present planning applications and associated documentation online.

Post Offices

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1688 by John Swinney on 25 July 2007, how many post offices it considers to be sustainable and what specific support it will give to post offices threatened with closure under the Network Change Programme.

Jim Mather: It is wholly a matter for Post Office Ltd to decide which post offices it considers to be sustainable. Post offices are reserved under Schedule 5 (Section C11) of the Scotland Act 1998. The Scottish Government cannot fund post offices directly. The Scottish Government’s position on this issue was set out in the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth’s letter dated 29 January 2008 to the Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament, which is available on the Parliament’s website at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/petitions/petitionsubmissions/sub-08/08-PE1102D.pdf.

Public Bodies

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a list of the public bodies, groups or committees (a) created and (b) wound up since May 2007.

John Swinney: The information requested will be published on the Scottish Government’s website.

  It will then be updated at regular intervals.

  I will write to the member in due course to provide relevant links to the website.

Public Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve integration between ferry, rail and bus services in the highlands and islands.

Stewart Stevenson: We aim to provide good quality public transport that is integrated, accessible and affordable and supports all communities, including those in less accessible or remote parts of Scotland.

Public Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had on a regular basis with Passenger Focus.

Stewart Stevenson: Regular meetings take place with Passenger Focus, both at ministerial and official level, to discuss a range of subjects within the remit of Passenger Focus.

Public Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of Passengers’ View Scotland links to the remit of Passenger Focus.

Stewart Stevenson: In keeping with the principles of best value and efficient government, Passengers’ View Scotland is expected to work in close partnership with Passenger Focus to ensure there is no duplication of responsibilities.

Public Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how Passengers’ View Scotland consults rail passengers.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what role it envisages for Passengers’ View Scotland in monitoring and commenting on the performance of the ScotRail franchise on a regular basis.

Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for Passengers’ View Scotland to consider in the context of its remit and the expectation that it will work in close partnership with Passenger Focus to ensure that there is no duplication of responsibilities.

Public Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action was taken to pursue any of the recommendations and outstanding work priorities following the winding up of the Rail Passenger Committee (Scotland) in 2005.

Stewart Stevenson: As successor to the eight regional Rail Passengers’ Committees, this is a matter for Passenger Focus to consider in the context of its remit.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between ministers and representatives of FirstGroup plc in respect of its share price during the negotiations on the extension of the ScotRail franchise.

Stewart Stevenson: No discussions took place on this matter.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between Transport Scotland and representatives of FirstGroup plc in respect of its share price during the negotiations on the extension of the ScotRail franchise.

Stewart Stevenson: Discussions took place about the correct process for release of information on what was recognised as a price sensitive matter.

  No discussions took place on the share price.

Rail Network

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the introduction of a not-for-profit trust to run Scotland’s rail services.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government will consider its approach when engaging in the next re-franchising exercise.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected subsidy level is for the ScotRail franchise from 2008-09 to 2013-14.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the date of implementation is of the revised revenue targets and profit-sharing arrangements for the ScotRail franchise.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the terms of the performance regime are as agreed in the revised and extended ScotRail franchise.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the financial advantages to First ScotRail are in revenue terms of the extension of the franchise agreement and what projections there are of expected and target revenue each year between the current financial year and the end of the franchise extension.

Stewart Stevenson: The information requested is given in ScotRail Franchise Amendment Agreement , a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45544).

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the revised performance indicators in the extended ScotRail franchise include requirements to meet the needs of visually impaired passengers, including ensuring that on-train automated announcement systems give accurate information about station stops.

Stewart Stevenson: The Service Schedules agreement in the ScotRail franchise, which addresses service quality for all passengers, has contained a test for monitoring the accuracy of on-train announcements since the commencement of the franchise agreement.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether passenger fare reductions were considered as a means of reducing the excess revenue above the annual level of target revenue in discussions regarding the ScotRail franchise.

Stewart Stevenson: The agreement which gives effect to the franchise extension contains an initiative to create pilot fares schemes designed to encourage modal shift to train. This will also help to evaluate the impact of interventions in fares policy.

Roads

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the construction of a footpath alongside the A76 between Cumnock and New Cumnock to ensure the safety of those who walk this route.

Stewart Stevenson: There are currently no plans for construction of a footpath alongside the A76 trunk road at this location. An investigation was carried out into the feasibility of providing a footpath in 2004; however, the cost was estimated then at over £250,000 and did not represent value for money because of the low numbers of pedestrians. Road safety on this section will continue to be monitored.

Roads

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the construction of a footpath alongside the A77 in South Ayrshire on the stretch of road between the Ainslie Manor Nursing Home and the Mill Road junction, to ensure the safety of those who walk this route.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland has asked Amey to investigate the feasibility of constructing a footpath at this location. I have asked Transport Scotland to write to you when the study is completed at the end of July.

Transport

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the regional transport partnerships’ revenue and capital budgets were in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08.

Stewart Stevenson: The regional transport partnerships (RTP) revenue and capital budgets for (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08 were as follows:

  

 Year
Revenue (£000)
Capital (£000)


 2005-06
 Nil
 26,500


 2006-07
 5,200
 47,900


 2007-08
 5,200
 42,100



  These figures are shown in the publication Scotland’s Budget Documents for each of the respective years (revenue figures are contained within the wider Modal Shift and Strategy budget line). Statutory RTPs were constituted from December 2005 and began receiving direct funding from 1 April 2006.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much transport expenditure there was in each parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years, also expressed on a per capita basis.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

Vaccinations

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to undertake any catch-up vaccination of children who have not received the pneumococcal vaccine.

Shona Robison: A catch-up exercise was carried out at the time that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced into the childhood schedule. In total 88% of the children who were offered catch-up immunisation at this time have been immunised appropriately for their age. Among the youngest of these children, who were aged two to eight months at the time, 95.9% have been immunised.

  There are no further catch-up plans at this time. In the longer term it would be for the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation to consider the evidence and provide advice on whether or not a further period of catch-up vaccination was required.

Vaccinations

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage parents who were advised to decline the MMR vaccine for their children to now take up the vaccination.

Shona Robison: The NHS in Scotland continues to reinforce the message that the recommended way to protect your child is through the combined MMR vaccination.

  Communication from a trusted health professional is key in supporting uptake and minimising parent anxiety. NHS Health Scotland continues to support NHS boards and Health Protection Scotland to achieve good MMR uptake rates through the provision of a range of accessible information for parents and health professionals, along with supporting materials.

  The revised MMR discussion pack will be launched later this year. It will build on the positively evaluated first edition and will further reinforce the importance of maintaining open and ongoing communication with parents about MMR.

  In addition, the MMR: it's never too late campaign materials are supplied by NHS Health Scotland to NHS boards to support local activity and include specific information for parents whose children have had single vaccines as well as those who have missed either one or both MMR doses.

Vaccinations

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following recent reports that almost 50% of children opted for six single MMR injections and did not complete the course, what action is being taken to encourage vaccination of these children.

Shona Robison: The recent report referred to in the question details a large cohort of children from the UK, including 1,740 from Scotland, who had their immunisation records examined. 5.2% of the total individuals included in the study (14,578) had opted for at least one single vaccine. In Scotland this was 2.8% (51 out of the 1,780 people included).

  Of the 634 people who had chosen single vaccines, only 52% of the children had received all of their immunisations. Therefore almost 50% of those children who opted for single vaccines, did not complete the course. The report does not suggest that 50% of all children opted for single injections and then did not complete the course.

  The most recent statistics collected by the Scottish Government indicate that uptake of one dose of MMR (MMR1) by 24 months for children born in the fourth quarter of 2005 is 91.8% Quarterly uptake of MMR1 by five years old is 94.4%, just below the World Health Organization (WHO) target of 95% and uptake of the second dose of MMR (MMR2) by five years old for children born in the fourth quarter of 2002 is 87.1%.

  Evidence shows that positive and effective communication from a trusted health professional is a key factor in influencing a parent’s decision to immunise their child. The NHS in Scotland continues to reinforce the message that the recommended way to protect your child is through the combined MMR vaccination. NHS Health Scotland continues to support NHS boards and Health Protection Scotland to achieve good MMR uptake rates through the provision of a range of accessible information for parents and health professionals, along with supporting materials.